2 min read
Company Name: Pratum Co-Op
Location: Salem, Oregon
Upgrade: Fertilizer blending automation and loadout efficiency improvements
Key Results
- Nearly 2× increase in blending capacity (60 → 120 tons per hour)
- 90% reduction in manual hand-adds during blending
- Real-time invoicing at loadout
- Improved inventory accuracy with precise component tracking
Lyle Schaffer
Operations Manager
Pratum Co-Op, Salem, Oregon
“We were running about 60 tons an hour max capacity, and now we’re running up about 120 tons an hour. So nearly doubled our output.”
The Challenge
As Pratum Co-Op’s customer base and farm sizes continued to grow, the cooperative began to outgrow the capabilities of its existing blending process.
Manual hand-adds were required during blending, slowing production and creating inefficiencies throughout the loadout process. At peak times, the system simply couldn’t keep up with demand.
To support continued growth, Pratum Co-Op needed a solution that would increase blending capacity while improving operational efficiency and accuracy.
Why Kahler Automation
The Pratum Co-Op team recognized that automation would be critical to supporting future growth.
Kahler Automation’s reputation as a leading automation provider in the agribusiness industry made them a natural partner for the project. The goal was to implement a system that could streamline blending operations, reduce manual steps, and provide greater control over inventory and billing.
The Results
The new Kahler Automation system delivered immediate improvements in productivity.
Before automation, blending frequently required manual ingredient additions, which slowed the process and increased operator workload. With the new system in place, approximately 90% of those hand-adds have been eliminated, allowing blends to be produced significantly faster.
Throughput has also improved dramatically. Pratum Co-Op previously operated at a maximum capacity of roughly 60 tons per hour. Today, the facility can run up to 120 tons per hour, nearly doubling its output.
These gains have helped the operation keep pace with growing demand while improving overall efficiency across the facility.
Inventory Accuracy and Visibility
Automation has also improved the accuracy and transparency of inventory tracking.
With the Kahler system, Pratum Co-Op now captures precise weights for both the final fertilizer blend and each individual component used in the mix. This level of detail provides confidence that inventory records are accurate and that the correct inputs are used for every load.
Real-Time Billing
The improved accuracy and automation have also streamlined the billing process.
Because each component is tracked and recorded automatically, Pratum Co-Op can now generate invoices immediately at the point of loading. This real-time billing improves workflow efficiency and ensures customers are billed accurately for every load.
Reliable Support When It Matters
Kahler Automation’s ongoing support continues to play an important role in Pratum Co-Op’s operations.
When issues arise or assistance is needed, the Kahler support team is readily available to help resolve problems quickly — keeping blending and loadout operations running smoothly during critical seasons.
